Duplicating method and apparatus



` NOV- 20, l934- o. E. WILLIAMS 1,981,794

DUPLICATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1935 -Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE 4 ,Y 1,981,794 DUPLICA'rmG METHOD AND APPARATUS owen E. williams, cleveland, omo Application May 27, 1933, Serial No. 673,279

14 Claims.

At the present time, duplicating work is generally done by the use of stencil duplicating machines, cylinder type printing machines, and gelatine base reproducing apparatus, or the like. Such apparatuses, andI their respective methods of duplicating, necessitate the use and handling of ink, which is a mussy operationor depend upon the quantity of ink applied to a duplicating base by means of a typed or inked sheet. In the last mentioned process, only a limited number of duplicate copies is possible of being obtained and these become lighter and lighter with each impression taken off of the duplicating base.

Now a primary object of the present invention has been to improve upon the ordinary apparatus and processes such as above referred to, by developing a novel form of duplicating, colorcontaining member, or base, one in which the coloring matter, preferably a dye used for the duplicating purpose, is distributed throughout the body of the base or color-containing member, which is preferably of gelatinous composition. The invention aims to do away with the need of employing and handling coloring matter such as inks or the lik'e that are commonly used in connection with stencil duplicating and cylinder type printing apparatuses. My process involves a composition of duplicating base or color-containing member, so to speak, in connection with which water may be used as a solvent so that by the mere application of water or moisture in a proper manner,4 as hereinafter set forth, the coloring matter, or dye contained in the duplicating base or color-containing member, may be caused to pass through a suitable stencil such as ordinarily employed in machines and duplicating methods ofv the type above referred to.

In the actual carrying out of my invention, the application of moisture to the duplicating base or color-containing member, by reason 4of the action of the moisture as a solvent, tends to soften the gelatinous body of the said base or member, and on this account, the coloring matter contained in the base or duplicating member is susceptible of being carried with the moisture received thereby, through the openings'of `a suitable stencil, or under some conditions, depending upon the nature of the apparatus with which the said duplicating base or member is used, drawn through such stencil openings by the solvent effect of the moisture acting upon the body of the y base.

. By reason of the peculiar nature of the composition used by me in making the duplicating base or color-containing member, I am enabled to form (Cl. 41-3L5) `a duplicating base of composite sections oi' the gelatinous body comprising the color-containing member, each of which sections is of a different color from the other, thus to facilitate the duplicating of printed sheets of different colors at a single printing operation for each sheet. The employment of my inventionfor making composte duplicating bases or color-containing members for cooperation with stencils or equivalent duplicating apparatus is especiallyadvantageous, owing to the fact that I employ duplicating sections of self contained colors, which sections may be disposed edge to edge'without any material likelihood'of the color matter of each running into the color matter of the other, when the stencil with which they are to be used is properly made with the openings therein for accomplishing the duplicating operations thereby, properly grouped in sections that correspond with the color sections of the duplicating base, the said openings preferably not being located at the points of juncture or edge to edge joining portions of the sections of the base.

While it has been proposed heretofore to make duplicating apparatus utilizing inking pads of different colors for performing multicolor duplicating operations on printed sheets with al single printing action, such apparatus, of course, is open tothe objections previously stated, of the necessity of handling ink, and furthermore, is complicated by the necessity of providing some separating means for the 'inking pads so that the inks of the several pads will vnot run` together, these objectionable or complicating features being avoided by the employment of my invention.-

I am not aware that it has heretofore been proposed to make a color-bearing body or color carrier of the gelatin like nature previously referred to, the color or dye of which, by the use or application of moisture in a proper manner, will be drawn from the body through the stencil member employed in cooperation therewith, and I therefore claim this phase of my invention to be broadly novel.

In the carrying out of my invention, an important phase thereof involves the method of making the color-containing body or carrier in that I subject the ingredients of the mixture from which said body is made, to the action of a high speed agitator of a suitable type, whereby to aerate the body in such a way that when its making is finished, the porosity of the body is greatly enhanced, so much so, in fact, that it is susceptible of containing minute quantities of moisture which act as a solvent of the color forming a part of the body. This porous formation of the body is conducive to increasing the number of duplicated copies of paper that may be produced when applied to a stencil located between the paper.

, sheets and the color-containing body, all for obvious reasons.

Another feature of my invention resides in certain novel apparatus for accurately determining or gauging the thickness of the application of the gelatinous color-containing body to the customarily employed carrier sheet of porous paper known as yoshino paper in the art, the said apparatus being adjustable to facilitate the making of different thicknesses of the color-containing body dependent upon the number of duplicate copies to be struck-01T therefrom.

In the accompanying drawing:-

Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a duplicating base or color-containing member, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View of a perforated Wax sheet or base to be associated with my color-containing member or duplicating base under certain conditions of use.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a composite form of duplicating base or color-containing member, useful for the purposes of my invention for multicolor duplicating Work.

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the cylinder of a stencil duplicating machine with my invention applied thereto.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the printing cylinder and customary ink supplying roller of a cylinder type printing machine, which parts have been adapted for the purposes of duplicating work by the use of my invention, the types of the cylinder printing machine being discarded and the said inking roller being used according to my invention as a moisture applicator avoiding the employment and handling of ink.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showing a modification of my invention wherein the same is employed somewhat after the manner of use of theA ordinary gelatin base reproducing, though the principle of such use is not availed of.

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the strike-off mechanism as usedin connection with this invention for regulating the thickness of the coating applied to the sides of the brous sheet or paper.

Process of making the duplicating base or colorcontaining member My duplicating base or `color-containing member isY produced in the form of a` gelatinous body. As an example, for the carrying out of my process, to one vquart of acetic acid, the concentration of which may be preferably 10 %-30% glacial, I add sufcient technical gelatin, or the like, to make a thick syrup. This syrup is subjected to the agi- ,tation of a high speed agitator, such as a rotating paddle, While the syrup is subjected to heat. In heating the syrup, a double boiler will be provided, the inner vessel containing the syrup, and the heating being carried on for a period of approximately one hour at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees F.

Separately from the gelatinous body above described, I mix a quantity of glycerin approximately equal in volume to the amount of the acid, and the gelatin mixture above mentioned, prior to the agitation thereof, with an oil solvent dye and a quantity of any dye solvent which is soluble in water approximating one-fourth the volume of the glycerin aforesaid. I also mix with the glycerin, dye and dye solvent, a quantity of calcium chloride approximately one-half the volume of the amount of said dye solvent.

The mixture of glycerin, dye, dye solvent and calcium chloride is agitated also by means of a high speed agitator.

My method of agitating the first mixture of acetic acid and gelatin, and also my method of agitating the second mixture, including the glycerin, dye, dye solvent and calcium chloride, is intended to incorporate in these mixtures a considerable quantity of air such that in the final product of the color-bearing or containing duplicating base made with the above mixtures, a porous structure will be obtained.

After mixing the acetic acid and gelatin, and heating the same in the manner set forth, with the use of the agitation as well, I then mix the same with the mixture of glycerin, dye, dye solvent and calcium chloride, the latter mixture, of course, being agitated, and made While cold.

It is essential that when the two mixtures described are brought together, they shall not be heated thereafter.

Obviously, the dye solvent is a solvent for the dye, or coloring matter, contained in the duplicating base when nally made, and said dye solvent is also a solvent in water.

The dye solvent employed in my process and composition for making my duplicating base or color-containing member produces, along with the calcium chloride, flexibility of the base when dry. The calcium chloride, by reason of its attraction of moisture tends to keep the base from cracking and also assists in the reproducing or duplicating function of the base in a manner that will be evident hereinafter.

In addition to acting as a solvent for the dye, the dye solvent emulsies the glycerin. The chloride of calcium keeps the gelatin body from hardening by absorbing moisture from the air, and also acts to attract the water or moisture later applied as a solvent for the dye, in the duplieating operation.

With the solution mixed and treated, as above described, a duplicating base is formed therefrom by taking yoshino paper and dipping the same back and forth in the compound, while in its iluid condition, so as to cause to be deposited upon the paper a suitable thickness of the compound, which thickness will depend upon the number of duplicate copies that are toy be struck oi by the use of an associated stencil. Owing to the nature and composition of the duplicating base, or what I call color-containing or bearing member, thus provided, the operation of duplication will be later seen to involve the gradual using up of the colorcontaining body so that when a certain number of duplicated sheets are made by the use of my invention, this color-containing body will be practically entirely absorbed.

The gelatinous composition body applied to the yoshino paper in the manner set forth is hung up to dry. I contemplate the use of the said body when dried in connection with a perforated wax sheet or base of the character shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. This perforated base is formed with perforations similar to those found in an ordinary porous plaster.

A duplicating base or color-bearing member, such as I have described, when completely made according to my process set forth, is designed to be utilized in connection with some kind of a stencil. It isof such a desirable composition that it may be employed in conjunction with different kinds of duplicating methods such as those availed of in the operation of certain parts of cylinder type printing and stencil duplicating machines, and after the manner of obtaining duplicate copies when using machines known on the market as gelatine base reproducing.

I will describe commercial methods ofuse of my invention in conjunction with these prior, known methods, and certain machines.

It is to be understood that by my process and with my composition above described, I aim to secure a completely homogeneous body for the duplicating base or member, one in which the coloring matter is uniformly distributed throughout the mass so that it takes on the appearance of the coloring matter itself.

The duplicating base preferably has imparted thereto a porosity obtainable by the aerating actions described above. I do not, however, wish to limit myself to said porosity respecting my composition, or my process, because I can obtain less effective but useful results without them.

The use of my invention on a stencil duplicating machine v on top, or over the said wax paper base my colorbearing member, as shown in Figure 1. On top of, or over the said colorbearing member, is placed any customary form of stencil sheet.

With the apparatus arranged in the manner I described, its method of use is as follows: Moisture is applied to the inner side of the perforated cylinder D, as by means of a brush dipped in water. This moisture is availed of instead of employing ink with the consequent disadvantages of having to handle ink colors that are mussy and dirty and disadvantageous for many reasons obvious to those working in the art.

The mechanical devices -of thestencil duplicating machine are operated in the usual manner, and the amount of dye or color which is caused to be applied to the sheets on which the duplicate copies are printed, andwhich correspondingly controls the depth or strength of the color of the duplicated copy will depend somewhat upon the amount of .moisture which is applied to the colorbearing member through the perforated metal drum D of the machine. The duplication process which ensues when the machine is operated in the above manner, may be described as utilizing the peculiar properties of the duplicating base as made in the manner above described; The calcium chloride in the color-bearing member or duplicating base acts to grab the moisture or water that is applied through the perforated cylinder D and through the perforated wax base or sheet C, and in so doing, picks up the dye contained in the gelatinous body of the color-bearing member, by reason of thev fact that this dye is soluble-in water. Thereupon, as the cylinder of the machine operates upon the paper or sheets to be printed, the moisture applied to the color bearing member is carried through the openings of thestencil E applied to the surface of the colorbearingmember along with the portion 4of the gelatinous body itself.

It is owing to this action of the moisture upon the duplicating base or gelatinous body, that the latter is gradually used up, and will disappear finally if the duplicating operations are performed a sumcient number of times. The moisture in the operation specified, picks up the coloring matter or dye in the gelatinous body and carries the same, with a portion of the body itself, because the dye and body are practically inseparable, into the openings of the stencil and through said openings to the paper which is to be print:d or dyed with the imprint outlined by the stencil itself.

Employment of my invention with cylinder type printing machine instrumentalities In the use of my invention in conjunction with a cylinder type printing machine, the type carrying cylinder of the same is used but the types themselves are dispensed with. On the outer surface of the type carrying drum of the cylinder 'printing machine, there will be applied and clamped in place, a backing sheet of imperforate wax cardboard, or the like, built up suiiiciently to take a space equivalent to the height of the type. Upon this imperforate backing sheet will be placed my color-bearing member or duplicating base, as termed herein, over which will then be placed the stencilof any desirable known type.

In Figure 5, the imperforate wax base or building-up member is designated F, the color-bearing member at G, and the stencil at Inv the use of my invention for cylinder printing machines, I eliminate the employment of the usual ink applying roll that works upon the surface of the types usually employed, and I substitute therefor a water moistening roll of felt or the like, designated at I. The printing machine will be operated in the customary manner, first to cause the moistening roll to apply moisture to the surface of the stencil, which moisture will enter the open- .ings of the stencil, and by reason of its ailinity for Gelatine base reproducing machine practice The practise of this type of machine is availed of for the uses 'ofA my invention only in so far as there might be said to be employed a flat base of wood, or the like, to support the duplicating or color-bearing base. A wood base is illustrated at K and on this base is mounted the duplicating base L ofmy gelatinous composition made according to the foregoing description. Between the duplicating base and the Wood base K, an imperforate wax base will be provided, designated J.

The stencil is placed on the flat surface ofthe color-bearing or duplicating base L and is designated M. Moisture is applied to the stencil upon the use of the moisture in the operation employing the cylinder type printing machine, and this moisture can be applied either by a felt roller, the felt of which contains a suitable quantity of water, or by means of a brush, moistened and passed lightly over the surface of the stencil. When the body L is moistened in this manner, thev paper to be imprinted is laid right directly upon the stencil and a rubber roller, or the like, may be used to apply the necessary pressure to the said paper on the stencil.

Composite multi-color duplicating bases or colorbearing members In Figure 3, the adaptation of my invention to making a composite multi-color duplicating base is shown. The application is very simple. Different colored duplicating base sheets will be cut into suitable sections, and the sections as designated in Figure 3, as N, O, P and R. The said sections may be mounted upon a perforate or imperforate wax sheet or base, as desired and necessary for the particular purposes of use, and the edges may be directly in contact, or not, as this is not material. Of course, the different colored sections N, O, VP, Rare to print different sections of the stencil to be laid over the composite colorbearing member. In View of the nature of this member, and its composition, the openings in the stencil will, of course, not be cut so that they will be opposite adjoining edges of the composite duplieating base because obviously under such conditions, the application of the moisture at such points would have a tendency to cause the diierent colors or dyes in the separate sections to iiow together and prevent the distinct separate multicolored printing desired. With the foregoing outline of the manner of making the multi-color duplicating bases, the method of use of same is obvious and permits of different parts of a duplicating printing sheet to be readily printed in different colors at one single operation of duplication.

Stencils It is to be understood that in the use of my invention, I may employ practically any -commercial type stencil at present in use wherein the stencil is cut so as to provide an opening through which the color or dye will pass in applying the same to the sheet which will form the duplicate print. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to any particular type of stencil within the purview of my invention, having in view the foregoing.

It is to be further understood that the proportions of the various ingredients employed for the purposes of making a composition according to this invention will depend upon certain factors involving primarily the porosity of the gelatin, whether it is commercial gelatin, or technical gelatin, and upon the additional factor as to the number of -duplicated sheets to be produced in the employment of a particular color-bearing member or duplicating base.

'Ilhere is no necessity, with the use of my invention, of handling ink in any way in conjunction with the duplicating apparatus, method and product herein described. Generally speaking, inks yare expensive,`diflicult to apply in order to get uniform duplicate printing work, and always offer the possibility of Wastage due to poor duplicate copies incident to the difiiculty of regular'rion of the amount of ink employed in conjunction with the stenciling means. The disadvantages of availing of ink, or equivalent kinds of coloring matter, separate from the duplicating body itself, are avoided by my invention, and soiling of the hands and paper, etc., in the use of the separate ink applying type of apparatus and methods is totally eliminated.

Strike-o1? apparatus As a convenient means for determining .fthe lthickness of the amount of duplicating base to be carried Iby the porous sheet, or yoshino paper to which it is applied, I show in Figure 'l a simple apparatus Ithat may be employed. This apparatus will comprise a pair of spaced wires, or very thin rollers might be used, if desired.

IIlhese wires or rollers are mounted in an adjustable manner so as to be spaced a greater or less distance apart, depending upon the desired thickness of the final duplicating base sheet. The strike-off parts, comprising said wires or rollers, being located above the liquid mixture made =by combining the two 'mixtures of agitated acetic acid and gelatin, and agitate glycerin, dye, a dye solvent which is soluble in w-ater, and calcium chloride, the upper end of the sheet of yoshino paper may be grasped by -the hand land said paper Will have its body passing between the strike-off wires. Then, by up and down movement of the paper, the liquid duplicating base is caused to be applied to the paper in an obvious manner, and when a suicient amount has been caused to be adhered to the paper in this way, said paper will,

be finally drawn up through the space between the strike-off wires or rollers which will thus regulate the thickness of the base deposited on the paper in la manner self evident.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim 'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, isz- 1. The process of Vmaking a composition for duplicating comprising a color-containing base which comprises heating lgelatin and acetic acid to form a syrupy mixture, subjecting said mixture to agitation to 'aerate the same, and combining the said mixture with a second mixture of glycerin, calcium chloride and coloring matter solvent by moisture so as to produce a homogeneous mass.

2. The process of making a composition for duplicating comprising a color-containing base Which comprises heating gelatin and acetic acid to form a syru-py mixture, subjecting said mixture to agitation to aerate the same, and comfbining the said lmixture with va second mixture of glycerin, calcium chloride and coloring matter solvent by moisture so as to produce a homogeneous mass, the second mixture being Ialso agitated fto aerate the same, thus to produce a |highly porous mass.

3. The process of making a composition for duplicating comprising la. color-containing base which comprises heating gelatin and acetic acid, mixed 'together Aat a temperature of about 160 degrees F. for approximately one hour, then adding thereto, lafter discontinuing the heating, a mixture of calcium chloride, glycerin and Water solvent coloring matter, and mixing the same to form a homogeneous duplicating base.

4. The process of making a composition for duplicating comprising a color-containing base which comprises heating gelatin and acetic acid mixed together at a temperature of about 160 degrees F. for approximately one hour, aerating said mixture, then adding thereto, after discontinuing the heating, a mixture of calcium chloride, glycerin and water solvent coloring matter,

aerating the latter mixture. and thoroughly combining the said two mixtures rto produce a homogeneous duplicating base of a porosity dependent upon the extent of vsaid agitation, and mixing the same to form a homogeneous duplicating 5. Apparatus for making colored reproductions by duplicative operations, including Ia gelatinous body, containing a water solvent coloring, a stencil applied to said body, and moisture applying means cooperative to cause the coloring matter to pass through the openings of the, stencil to a juxtaposed sheet to be printed.

6. Apparatus for making colored reproductions by duplicative operations, including a yduplicating base comprising a body of gelatin treated with acetic acid, having an oil solvent dye fto color the same. also comprising .calcium chloride, all combined in a homogeneous mass, a stencil, 'applied to the base, and moisture applying means for applying moisture to the said Vmass so that it may act rto take up the coloring matter and carry same to the openings of'the stencil.

7. Apparatus for making colored reproductions by duplicative operations, including a duplicating base containing coloring matter adapted to be taken up by a water solvent, water applicator means, and a stencil applied to the base, the openings of which stencil are adapted to receive the coloring matter of the base when suiilcient moisture acts upon the base to carrylthe coloring matter thereof into the stencil openings.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a duplicating base comprising a carrier made of paper, having applied thereto a composition, including gelatin mixed with acetic acid, an oil solvent dye,

and a suiilcient quantity of calcium chloride and a dye solvent soluble in water to alford flexibility or softness of the base when dry.

9. A duplicating base, comprising an ink bearing member, including gelatin, aceticacid, and an oil solvent dve in solution therein.

' 10. A duplicating base, comprising an ink bearing member, including gelatin, acetic acid, and

an oil solvent dye in solutionA therein, to which is added a suiilcient quantity of calcium chloride to aiord flexibility or softness.

11. A duplicating base, comprising an ink bearing member, including gelatin, acetic acid, and an oil solvent dye in solution therein, to which is added a suiiicient quantity of calcium chloride to aii'ord flexibility or softness, and a suiilcient quantity of a dye solvent soluble in water.

12. The process of making duplicating apparatus for producing paper prints, comprising `forming a gelatinous color-bearing member with agitation while in liquid condition to produce a porous moisture retaining body when dry.

13. 'Ihe method of duplication which consists in providing a gelatinous color-bearing member, combining therewith a stencil and applying moisture to the color bearing member for drawing the color fromsaid member into the openings of the stencil. y

14. The method of duplication which consists in providinga gelatinous color bearing body, combining therewith a stencil and applying moisture to the color bearing body for drawing the color bearingbody and color into the openings of the stencil.

OWEN E. WIL-lliIAJMS. 

